Rubber-dam clamp



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J. D. ENNES.

RUBBER DAM CLAMP. No. 402,315. Patented Apr. 30, 1889.

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KNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. ENNES, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

RU BBER-DAM CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,315, dated April 30, 1889. Application filed September 20, 1838- Serial No. 285,943. (No model.)

and I do declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as. will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertai'ns to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a front view of the holder applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holder. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the closed clamp. Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the clamp open.

This #invention has relation to holders for rubber dams for dentists use; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of devices as hereinafter set forth, and point d out in the appended claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a holder which is simple and readily adjusted, which will not catch in the hair, and which will not injure the rubber.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the piece of rubber or dam, and B the holder or clamp. O is a piece of tape or braid which is used to secure the dam in should be threaded, preferably, to receive a nut-head, 70. When this head is taken oif, the

pin-can be removed. In the back of the fold h is made a slot, Z, at about the middle of the length of the holder, and this slot has at its latter is moved edgewise into the narrow por- Q tion or offset m of the slot, whereby it is secured.

To adjust the braid, slide it into the larger part of the slot,'and then it can be easily pulled in either direction to enlarge the loop around the head of the patient or to make it smaller, the adjustment being readily secured by moving the fold into the offset m.

The jaw-piece E is of broad form, and is made with a biting-lip, 'n, to engage the lip of the base, and with a V-form spring bent at its back portion, which passes under the edge of the back fold of the base. This bend 6 consisis of a shoulder-piece, b, and a tongue, 0, these parts meeting at the angle 6, which impinges on the base. \Vhen the clamp-jaw is raised from the base to insert a piece of rubber, the angle 6 is protruded a little from under the edge of the fold h, so that the jaw is held in open position. When, however, the jaw is closed down, holding the rubber by its lip against that of the base, the angle e retreats under the edge of the back fold of the base and the tongue portionc of the clamp within said back fold is sprung upward, and

by its elasticity and that of the base the two lips are held closely pressed together upon the rubber. The j aw-piece E is preferably made shorter than the base, and can be readily adjusted toward either end thereof without impairing the efliciency of its clamping power, and the length as well as the form of its biting-edge serve to obviate injury to the rubber while securing a firmhold thereof.

Having described this invention, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A r ubber-dam holder consisting of a base clamp having a front lip and a slotted angular rear fold provided with an edge ap roximating said base, a clamp-j aw having a -form rear portion engaging said fold and. a bitinglip to engage the lip of the base, and a reslotted angular fold of the base, having a removable pin extending through said fold, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. ENNES.

Vitnesses:

A. A. IIAWKs, A. B. SELDNER. 

